The expansion team acquired former star goalkeeper Joe Cannon from the Los Angeles Galaxy on Thursday, bringing back another player with strong Bay Area roots.

Cannon, Major League Soccer’s two-time goalie of the year, joins defender Ryan Cochrane, who last month was the team’s top pick in the expansion draft. Cochrane, a Santa Clara University star, played in San Jose until the team moved to Houston two years ago.

Cannon, a former St. Francis High and Santa Clara star, began his MLS career in San Jose in 1999 and made the All-Star team with the Quakes in 2001-02.

Cannon, 33, played for Quakes Coach Frank Yallop last season in Los Angeles, and his goals-against average (1.59) was significantly higher than his nine-year average (1.30). But the Quakes attribute that to a Galaxy team that suffered from injuries and the circus surrounding English star David Beckham.

“I thought Joe had a terrific end of the season,” Yallop said. “And he is back to his top form.”

While Cannon’s return was cause for optimism, the Quakes lost expansion draftee Clarence Goodson in a separate development.

Goodson, a defender from the Dallas Burn, has decided to play in Norway instead of with the MLS team that debuts April 3 at Los Angeles.

Quakes officials leave today for the MLS player combine in Florida where they will evaluate 54 college seniors in preparation for the “superdraft” next Friday in Baltimore. San Jose has the draft’s No. 1 pick and also has about $1 million in league allocation funds to buy veteran players, as they did with Cannon.

Yallop said he wants to build with veterans rather than youngsters, so the Quakes are willing to trade their pick. The team has targeted a dozen MLS veterans of interest, General Manager John Doyle said.

But with Cochrane and Cannon on board, the defense is beginning to take shape.

Cannon played in San Jose for five years, helping Yallop win the MLS Cup in 2001.

His return should boost ticket sales, but that’s not why the Quakes got him, they said.

“We want to make sure first we bring in good people,” Doyle said. “It’s just a bonus Joe is from here.”

Added Yallop: “When you have a chance to get someone like Joe, you go for it.”

Cannon will be backed by Preston Burpo, who spent last season with Chivas USA.

• The Earthquakes’ preseason schedule will include the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, S.C., in March, with the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC.

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